I'm back with another chapter! I guess I've been stuck with writer's block these past couple of months. I just hope that these chapters keep ya going! Enjoy!

The sun was starting to set as Manic walked down the trails of the village. He made a few stops at some food stands and bought some snacks for the others. He may have been a thief in his early life, but after reuniting with Aleena, he tried his best not to steal anymore. He decided to go the long way home to avoid all the suspicious glares from other Mobians from his first trip. He jumped different fences and dumpsters through alleys and was able to sneak past heavily populated areas. Stars were starting to appear in the sky as the sun was falling into the horizon. He knew he had to get back to Aleena fast before she starts to worry. She may be roboticized, but she is still his mother with feelings.

He was so lost in thought, he didn't notice someone in front of him and tripped over them. Both sides gave out a grunt as they both fell. One was his, the other sounded like a young child's. The impact and confusion halted Manic for a sec to clear his head. Then, a voice called out.

"I'm so sorry, are you ok?"

He looked up and saw a small rabbit Mobian with a much smaller Chao floating beside her. She had her hand out towards him to help him back onto his feet. Once his vision cleared, he instantly recognized her and accepted her hand and stood up as he said,

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Say, you're the little girl sitting next to Amy from yesterday, aren't you?"

"Yes, My name is Cream and this is my friend Cheese." She introduced.

"Chao!" Cheese beamed and the little ball above his head morphed into the shape of a heart as he floated around him.

Manic chuckled, "Nice to meet you too, But what are you doing out here so late? Where's your ma?"

"Mother is at home, we've been waiting there as Mr. Sonic didn't want us near the battle." Her eyes and ears fell when a new thought entered her mind.

"What's wrong?" Manic questions.

"M-Mother said that the queen is her childhood friend… A-and I heard some rumors about her."

"What rumors?" Manic squinted his eyes.

"Th-That she was k-killed… or worse… R-roboticized… I-I just wanted to see if she is alright and those rumors were wrong."

His stomach dropped, she has no idea how right they are… or at least, half-right. If she finds out that his mother was roboticized… Her mother will be crushed.

"Look, Cream…" He sighed, "I don't think that's a good idea and It's getting dark, don't keep your ma' waiting."

"No! Mother has been worried sick ever since this morning and I'm going to help her by seeing the queen."

Before Manic could even interject, she moved past him and started running towards Sonic's home. He shook his head in disbelief and ran after her.

"Hey! Wait up!"

It took all of his stamina to barely stay with the fleeing girl, but once he caught up, he was out of breath and standing just off the porch of their destination. It was dark and there were no sources of light either inside or out. It looked like no one was home…

"Looks… Looks like they're… asleep… *sigh* You might wanna go home, little dudette."

Cream didn't reply, she just looked over and turned back to the house. She got one step closer, her pet chao following behind her head. Then, she knocked.

No answer…

She knocked one more time.

No answer…

"Come on, Cream. They're asleep-"

The porch light suddenly turns on and they hear footsteps approach the door. Both are in silence, thinking about who this could be. Then, the knob started to shake and turn. The door slowly opens and a small figure stands in the doorway. They couldn't tell who it was until the shadow of two large tails came into view.

"Cream? What are you doing here so late?"

"She wants to see my ma, but I told her right now isn't a good time." Manic answered for her.

"I just wanted to see if she is alright, my mother hasn't been herself since you told her you were going to fight Mr. Eggman!"

Tails scratched his head and his ears fell, he didn't know what to do about this…

"Well… we did leave them in the dark about this, Manic…"

The hedgehog sighed, it looked like there was no way out of this now.

"Don't say I didn't warn you…"

All three Mobians entered the home once more towards their destination. All the lights were off and they had to rely on moon light reflecting off the windows to guide them along the rooms. They walked towards the most isolated room on the far side of the house where little windows and doors were. Tails stopped at the door and halted the other two.

"She's still… upset… about everything. Go easy on her."

"You're telling me how to treat my own-"

"Something happened while you were gone, ok? She got extremely upset and she doesn't even want anyone near her. Just be careful…"

Manic and Cream both looked at each other before turning back to Tails and gave a hard nod. Tails then grabbed the handle and twisted it. Then, he slowly pushed the door open and the green hedgehog and cream rabbit moved in. There was only one window lighting the room with nothing but a chair in the corner and a dark silhouette sitting in it.

"Mom?"

"I'm not in the mood to talk, Manic. You should head to bed."

"But ma-"

"No buts. Now, go to bed." She scolded, revealing her optical eye and roboticized head which shocked Cream immensely.

Manic looked down in defeat, but Cream still didn't want to give up. With her face determined, she called out to her.

"Your majesty?"

Aleena gave out a small gasp at the sound of her voice. She could recognize that voice anywhere, but it's impossible… It's been years since she last saw her.

"Vanilla?"

Cream raised a brow, "I'm sorry, I think you are confusing me with my mother. I'm Cream, her daughter and this is my friend Cheese."

Cream and Cheese both gave a bow as Aleena was able to get a better look at her. If Cream didn't say anything, she would still confuse her with Vanilla because they look almost identical as children. Though, she was slightly younger. Maybe by a few years, but the similarities were still there.

"Vanilla's… daughter…? Does that mean she's still…"

"She's at home, she is really worried about you…" Cream whispered.

Aleena slowly fell back into her seat and looked away. Cream kept her distance away so as to not show any disrespect to her queen. Manic did the same, there isn't really anything he could do to help her right now. A few seconds later, she broke the silence with a question.

"Manic, could you and Tails step outside for a moment…"

"U-uh… yeah, sure thing."

He turned around and walked up to the door where Tails was still standing by. He pointed outside and Tails followed and closed the door, leaving Cream in confusion as to why Aleena wanted to speak with her alone.

"Cream, Come closer."

She did as she requested and walked very slowly, up until she was within a few feet of her. Being this up close, she could see everything that was done to her. All the wires, metal plates, the electronics on living flesh… It's horrifying, but she had to stay strong in the face of her ruler. She also saw her hand reach into a side pocket and pulled out an envelope.

"Take this…" Aleena whispered as she handed it to her.

Cream took it very carefully and saw the name addressed to,

'Vanilla'

"Could you deliver this to your mother, please?"

"O-Of course, my queen-"

"Please, don't call me that. I'm no one's queen, not anymore…"

Cream gasped slightly at hearing such a thing, "But that's not true! You are a queen, how could you say something like that?"

"Because I failed my duties as queen, I was too weak…"

"You're not weak, Mr. Sonic said that you took back Mobotropolis even with all odds against you!" She argued.

"Except I was in hiding for all that time. How could I be strong by hiding? Please head home, it's very late and your mother will be very worried." Aleena countered.

Cream looked over to her pet Chao who only gave a shrug and a question mark on his head. She guessed she had no choice, but to return home to deliver this letter and the bad news… After a quick nod, she gave a gloomy expression on her face as she turned to leave. Aleena stayed perfectly still as the sound of a door open and close slowly entered her ears and shut her eyes tightly. From her last good eye, a few drops of tears escaped and fell down her cheek as she cried until her mind fell into a slumber.

Cream shut the door behind her and saw Manic and Tails looking at her with concerned looks on their faces.

"Well, what did she want you for?" Manic questioned.

Cream didn't say a word as she looked at the letter once more. They both looked down and saw it addressed to Vanilla, her mother. Manic gave more of a confused look as Tails gave one of sadness. Cream just ignored them as she walked by and headed for the door, she opened it and left without saying a word. Cheese decided to give his wings a break and landed on her head and fell asleep.

"Little sleepy, Cheese?" She yawned at the idea of sleep, "Me too, but we need to talk to mother before that."

She then walked down the steps of Sonic's home and in the dark of night.

Back inside, the other two looked at each other before Manic started with,

"I guess it wasn't good." Manic spoke.

"No, That letter was addressed to Ms. Vanilla. If Aleena wrote it to her, then she is going to face the truth hard." Tails added.

"What about Sonic? Is he alright?"

Tails sheepishly scratched his arm and looked away as he tried to answer the question without setting him off.

"He- woke up while you were gone. He's been feeling nothing but guilt for what happened… and about- killing Eggman…"

Manic moved next to a tall side table and slammed his fist down hard, causing the fox kit to jump and the sudden sound and vibration from the impact. Both of his tails and fur shot up so fast that he felt his heart start to race.

"Even dead, he still hurts all of us! I'm tired of everything! All the pain, All the terror!"

"Manic! Calm down! It's only been a few hours, if you give it more-"

Tails' voice slowly drowned out as his rage increased, but something clicked in his head. One moment, he had so much anger and his blood boiling as it rushed to his head. Next, it was all clear. He felt nothing, nothing at all, even from his rush of rage, there were no after effects. A bright flash of white light blinded him and he had to shut his eyes very tightly. Then, his eyes revealed a whole new environment. He tried to look around, but his feet were locked in place. That's when he noticed his body was transparent, he could see through himself. Is he dead? Is he a ghost? Before he could sort anything out, a new figure appeared walking down the dark path. He tried to speak, but his voice was gone. Nothing came out of his throat as he called out to her. She moved closer to an opening of an alleyway before something snatched her from behind, placed a hand over her mouth and dragged her in. Manic tried to run to her and stop the suspect, but his feet never moved. The pet Chao tried his best to defend his friend, but he was easily grabbed and squeezed tightly.

"You thought you could get rid of me so easily?"

Manic's blood ran cold. No way… it can't be… Sonic killed him…

Cheese was thrown hard against the wall and fell to the ground, the impact must've put him unconscious. Cream only tried to scream even louder, trying to break free and help him, but she got another tight squeeze on her neck in response.

"I'm done playing around. Now, I am going to end all of you."

The suspect then held Cream in a headlock and exerted more force on her neck harder and harder until…

*SNAP*

She went limp… her arms and legs fell hanging above the ground. She was dropped and her body landed hard next to Cheese facing away from Manic, still stuck standing just outside.

She didn't get back up…

He screamed off the top of his lungs, but again, nothing escaped his mouth. Tears formed and fell down his cheeks, but when the mysterious figure walked out, his anger rose once more. It was HIM… standing there like nothing ever happened. He looked to be injured from the battle before, but he was still able to move on his own. At that moment, Manic broke through his restraints and was free to rush at him, but just as he was about to land a hit, another bright flash of light blinded him once more. When it faded, he saw himself on the floor and Tails next to him. He looked concerned and was checking on him for any injuries.

"Manic, are you alright? You just collapsed on the floor."

Manic didn't answer and jumped off the ground bolted for the door.

"Manic, wait! Where are you going?"

"Eggman's alive! He's alive and he's going to kill Cream!"

"WHAT?!"

Manic burst through the door and rushed down the trail, ignoring his friend calling out to him. He ran for a minute before he needed to catch his breath, he needed to find Cream before it's too late.

"Cream! Cream, where are you!" He yelled.

There was no response in the dark of night. He looked around trying to find the rabbit before reaching any alley, but no luck. He tried to continue on, maybe he could reach her in time. He clutched his head as a new feeling rushed in. It wasn't painful, but he didn't know how to process it. It felt like he sensed something near him, it felt like a wave of sadness. He locked onto it and pinpointed the source. How? He doesn't know, but he just ignored the question and went farther through the grass and dirt with the moon light guiding his way.

Cream was just trekking down the path, holding the letter to her chest with Cheese still sleeping on her head. She was just about to reach her destination, but she had to pass by the same alley from Manic's vision.

"Cream!"

"Huh?" she whirled around to see a green hedgehog running towards her in a panic. "Mr. Manic?"

This distraction was enough for a figure in the shadows to slowly creep up behind her. Manic sees this and screams out to warn her.

"Cream! Stay away from that alley-!"

It was too late. A pair of arms wrapped around Cream and dragged her deep into the shadows.

"NO!"

He ran to the corner and nearly slipped, changing direction into the alley to see his target. Eggman in tattered, bloody clothing. Holding Cream by the head and Cheese on the floor, he just stood there as he stared at the green hedgehog all too similar to his blue nemesis. Cream was gripping onto Eggman's arms for support on her neck, tears spilling from her brown cinnamon eyes, which only made Manic angrier. His hands tightened into fists and raised them into a fighting stance.

"Let. Her. Go." He gritted through his teeth.

"You meddling hedgehog, I should've gone all out when I attacked Robotropolis." Eggman spat.

"I said…" Sparks start to flash onto Manic's hands and his pupils start to glow sparkling crystal white… "Let her go!"

He shot bolts of lightning out of the palm of his hands and attacked the dictator. The sudden shock forced him to drop Cream and stumble backwards. Cream picked up the unconscious Chao and ran behind Manic for protection. He slowly moved one foot closer and closer as he continued shocking Eggman in his electrified confinement.

Manic felt his power surge even more through his veins. It clouded his mind and judgment, but it fueled his rage. To him it felt like he was unstoppable, untouchable.

"I've had enough of your stupid, pointless attempts at conquering this world. You've caused so much pain and suffering for others… including me and my family! You think you're a powerful emperor? Then let's see how you deal with the powers of a GOD!"

His voice echoed with those last few words as he increased his powers on Eggman and fell down onto the ground from the overwhelming shock. Manic chuckled as he fell in pain right in front of him. Cream just gasped in horror, she was too afraid to do anything but use her voice and that barely came out as a whisper.

"M-Mr. Manic? A-are you o-okay?"

"Okay? Ha! I feel better than okay, I feel powerful! Ha ha ha!"

"Manic! Stop!"

Manic and Cream both turn around and see Tails and Aleena at the opening of the alley. Both had concerned looks on their faces, but Aleena's was more defined. She was horrified at the sight of her son with this unexpected power.

"Manic, stop. Please…" she whispered.

"Stop? But I can't just let him get away."

"Manic, Look at him! Does it look like he can get away?" Tails yelled.

Manic looked back at Eggman to see him struggling to stay conscious from the electrified cage around his body.

"Manic, Listen to me…"

He turned back to his mother at the call, but stopped halfway when she risked herself by giving him a tight embrace.

"Stop what you're doing, clear your mind. Don't let your power control you."

Manic froze for a few seconds before actually processing his mother's words. He lowered his hand and all electric bolts dissipated from his hands. His pupils faded from crystal white back to his original light blue. Tears formed as he shut his eyes and held onto his mother.

"I-I'm sorry… I didn't-"

"Shh. I know, I know…" Aleena hushed.

Tails rushed past them and went to check on their enemy. He was badly burned and unresponsive. Tails was just hoping he was unconscious and checked for a pulse on his neck. He felt a very slow pulse on his fingertips and sighed in relief.

"He's not dead, just unconscious. We need to lock him up in our toughest cell before he wakes up."

Before Tails was able to grab onto Eggman's arms, a bright flash of purple light blinded everyone for only a second.

"I'll take care of him, Tails."

Cream was the first to open her eyes and saw her blue blur friend.

"Mr. Sonic?"

He walked over to Tails and knelt down towards the doctor. He placed a hand on his chest and transported both himself and the doctor off to somewhere else. With that taken care of, Tails got back on his feet and walked over to Cream who was just watching everything unfold still holding Cheese in her arms.

"Hey, Cream. Let me take you home, I think we've all had enough."

Cream never said a word and agreed with a nod. She held his hand as she was escorted home. Aleena waited until they both were out of sight and earshot before she held her son by the shoulders and stared down his eyes.

"Manic, Please! Don't ever use that power. Promise me!"

Manic was confused. She always encourages using their powers, or at least, Sonic or Sonia's. But he never had powers all his life before now, why is she discouraging him now?

"W-why?" he questioned.

Aleena frowned, then sighed.

"I was hoping this would never happen…" she whispered.

"What? Y-you never wanted me to have powers?"

"No! I mean… I don't care if you have powers or not, I just didn't want your power to be…"

"What I did just now?" Manic finished.

Aleena stared for a moment before hugging him once more, even tighter.

"Ma… what happened? I felt so powerful, but scared and everything felt like it was happening all at once…"

"It's a long story…"

Tails successfully escorted Cream back to her home without any more trouble. Right at the doorstep, he turned towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. In response to the touch, she snapped her head to him and slightly jumped. Tails jumped back a bit as well, but he slightly expected it.

"Cream, after you give your mother that letter, I think you should stay home for a while. I'm sorry…"

He turned away and used his namesake to fly away back in the opposite direction they came from. Cream just held Cheese slightly tighter as he flew out of sight. The sudden squeeze woke up the tiny Chao and startled her.

"Oh, Cheese! Are you alright?"

Cheese only grunted from his dizziness. Cream hugged him gently like how a caretaker would. She walked up to the front door of her home and was about to open the door, but someone else did before her.

"Cream!"

"Mother!"

Vanilla ran to her daughter and lifted her off the ground and spun around. She was entirely relieved to see her.

"Where were you?! I was so worried about you!" She cried.

"I'm sorry, mother. I just wanted to check on the others and-"

"But why would you not tell me? You can't just run off like that!"

Cream's eyes start to tear up. She hates it when her mother is mad at her and she is trying everything to explain but she won't hear it.

"I-I'm s-sorry…"

"Oh, Cream… I didn't mean to yell at you…"

Vanilla wrapped her arms around her child and stroked the back of her head to make her calm down. Cream accepted the hug and a moment later in silence, she pulled out the letter she got from Aleena and showed it to her mother.

"What is this?" She asked.

Cream looked down and didn't respond. Vanilla was worried at first and when she saw her name on the front… it got worse. She took the letter and examined it carefully before she opened the flap. She gasped as inside was a letter with handwriting that she definitely recognized.

Vanilla,

I'm sorry, for everything. Ever since the war, I wanted to contact you so badly but I couldn't. I couldn't run the risk of exposing my cover and risking all the lives of my citizens.

I hope all these years have treated you well and you have lived peacefully. If you have, then everything I did was successful. Maybe you have children to call your own, I know you've met mine.

Don't worry about me, I've been living well. But I don't think we should meet yet, we've only just come out of hiding. I don't know when, but we'll meet again, for old time sake.

-Aleena

After she finished reading the letter, Vanilla held it close to her chest and stood up. She looked out in the distance and stared.

"I believe I've waited long enough…" She muttered, "Cream, come inside, dear. It's way past your bedtime."

"Yes, mother. But are you leaving to see the queen right after? She seemed really upset before I left…"

"No, dear. I need to rest too. You got me all worked up when I couldn't find you. And besides, She knows I'm going to see her whether she wants me to or not. Now, hurry along."

Vanilla, Cream, and Cheese all entered their home, but Vanilla turned around to look at the night sky one last time and saw the four brightly colored stars shining almost as bright as the moon. One purple star was brighter than all the rest. She smiled before shutting the door behind her. From outside, you could see all the lights in the house start to shut off, one window at a time until the entire house went dark.

How'd ya like that? I gave Manic actual powers! Unfortunately, it was a bad batch. To any Star Trek Fans of the Original Series you know what power I gave him. Super Human Abilities, but it corrupts your mind and judgement.

What happens next? Stay tuned!